Newbie with a GS1100E K and N and Carb Question

[Guyver]

Hello folks,

After a 14 year absence from bikes I'm bike and bought one of my dream bikes...a 1982 Suzuki GS1100E. I have always loved that bike and I found one through Ebay. The guy even delivered it with a manual. The bike is in great shape, just under 26,000 miles and came with a Bassani 4 into 1 competition exhaust on it and a Corbin Gunfighter seat. The bike gets up and moves and I just got my K and N Pod FIlters for it. I plan on rejetting to a Stage 3; however, I was wondering whether the bike will run well with the pod filters and the aftermarket exhaust until I get the jet kit and have it installed and the carbs adjusted. I'm in the midst of acquiring a 1982 Suzuki Katana that is stock, clean as can be and with less than 6,000 miles on it. So I have to wait on the jet kit and installation for the GS1100E. Should it run just fine? The carbs are tuned and the bike runs great now, just some minor backfiring into the exhaust if I am slowing in too low a gear. ~Gene

 

[Hoomgar]

It most likely is not a good idea. I am doubtful it will run right, or safe. When doing both a 4into1 pipe and pods from stock there is some rather serious rejetting that needs to take place. Without installing and fine tuning your jet kit it will run really lean. I can't see how it wouldn't. This could in turn damage the engine by holing a piston or burning rings. If you must run it now before the kit comes do so with the stock pipes and air box for now if they are still in place.

Nice find

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Don't run the bike that lean. Get the jet kit and re-jet.

 

[retrex]

Running lean question

Running lean question

Sorry to hijack but in reading the above a couple of questions/concerns came to me. I have recently acquired an 81 GS1100EX with V&H pipes on it. Stock intake setup. I know the previous owner did not rejet because I cleaned the carbs and noted original jets. Bike has 20k on the OD. Compression is at 150 145 135 135. I don't know how long the exhaust has been on the bike. My guess is not long due to very little rust at collector junction. My question is how much damage, if any will runing the bike in this setup incur. I just want to run it for 20 min. every couple of weeks during the winter while I work on it. Do you think there is damage done already? How can I tell if is damage. I imagine a borescope would let me know. I'm not sure I want to invest in one unless I have to. Any input is appreciated.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

With just a pipe, riding the bike that short amount of time shouldn't hurt anything. Longer rides/times could obviously cause some higher than normal running temps.

 

[Hoomgar]

With just a pipe, riding the bike that short amount of time shouldn't hurt anything. Longer rides/times could obviously cause some higher than normal running temps.

What Keith said and I would add that you should up the mains though. Do some plug reads and see what you have. With just a pipe it may not be far off and you may get away with just changing the mains if your lucky One or two sizes up should be all that is needed for just a pipe.

I doubt you hurt that engine yet.

 

[scotty]

how come you didnt look at the plugs. just naming parts doesnt really tell much. If thr bike had a competition exhaust on when you bought it, thrn i would supose thast ther PO was driving it that way.
For me, the first thing i do is look at plugs before i start to make any guesses.

 

[retrex]

Plug queston

Plug queston

how come you didnt look at the plugs. just naming parts doesnt really tell much. If thr bike had a competition exhaust on when you bought it, thrn i would supose thast ther PO was driving it that way.
For me, the first thing i do is look at plugs before i start to make any guesses.

Is your response to me or the other guy Scotty? If it was to me then my answer is the plugs did not indicate high temp operation. They were not white and the electrodes weren't blistered. They were fairly new plugs. But as a caveat the bike was not in good running order so I don't think it had been operated much since the last plug change. Prior to purchase is was run for only a few minutes to warm it up for a compression check, which it failed. After purchase I tried to ride it around my block but it wouldn't run very well so into the basement it went for work. I corrected the compression and cleaned the carbs and it runs very well now. I would like to keep it running every few weeks using the V&H since it is much easier to install that a stock pipe.